Sheet-eeeding apparatus



A. BROADMEYE R 1929 SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS 17,519

7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Nov. 12, 1925 A. BROADMEYER SHEET FEEDI NG APPARA'IUS Dec. 10, 1929. Re. 17,519

Original F led Nov. 12, 1923 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. BROADMEYER SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Dec. 10, 1929.

- Q gina1 Filed Nov. 12, 1923 7 Sheets heet 5 A. BROADMEYER Original Fled Nov. 12 1923 A. BROADMEYER SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS '7 Sheet-Sheet 5 Dec. 10, 1929.

Original Filed Nov. 12 1923 A. BROADMEYER Dec. 10, 1929.

SHEET FEEDING APP Original F'iled Nov. 12, 1925 '7 Sheets-Shet 6 A. BROADMEYER SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Den. 10, 1929.

Original Filed Nov. 12 1923 Reissued Dec. 10, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE LLIER'I. BBOAIDMEYER, OF HARBISIBUBG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR '10 'IHE W. O.

HICKOK MANUIACI'URING OOMIPANY, OF 'HARRISIB'UBG, PENNSYLVANIA, A. COR- .POBA'I'ION OIF PENNSYLVANIA SHEET-FEEDI'NG AJP'PABA'IUS rlglns.l Ho. 1,617893 dated February 15, 1927, Serie! No. 674,334, filed November 12, 1923. Application for reissue flled June 8, 1928. Seral No. 283,986.

The present invention relates to sheet feedingapparatus and particularly to that type in which a feed table is associated with a supply table, and mechanism is provided for de i vering the paper from the supply table to the feed table, and from the feed table to the instrumentalities that operate on the individual sheets, as for example, a ruling ma.- chine, printing press, folding machine or the like.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide feeding mechanism that will successfully operate on any size of sheet within the maximum capacity of the apparatus.

K further and important object is to provde nevel means for transferr1ng the sheets from the supply table to the feed table, and forcontrolling the transfer and feeding operations at the delivery end of the feedng table 'by mechanism that is dependent on the amount of materie] or number of sheets at sad delvery end of the feed table.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawin wherein:-

igure 1 is a side elevation of the same,

Figure 2 is a top plan view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is 21 detail vertical sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view on theline 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a detail view of the pawl an ratchet operating means.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of parts of the bell crank mounting connected to the aetuating plunger for the pawl moving means.

Figure 7 is a erspective view of the con trol mechanism r the pawl act1iating means.

Fgure 8 is a detail view of the manually operated setting means, for the feed mechamsm Figure 9 is 21 detail perspective view of the mounting for one of the sets of tension rolls 0r a pair of transferring tapes.

.Figure 10 is a vertical seotional view thnough the means for transferring sheets irom the}supply table to the feed table.

50 Figure 11 is a detail view of one of the mountings of the rear guide roller for the upper belt.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a portion of the belt showing the adjustable side walls of the supply table.

Figure 13 is a similar view of the feed table.

In the embodiment disclosed, a feed table 10 is employed, supported on suitable standards 11, and in turn supporting thereabove a supply .table 12. The supply table 12 is inclined reversely to the feed table 10, and has its lower end mounted in suitable frame brackets 13. Its upper end is carried by supportin g rods 14 suitably based on fraine brackets 15 at the lower or delivery end of the feed table 10.

The upper or supply table 12 is provided with upstanding side walls 16-16, and an endless belt of a width substantially equal to the maximum distance between said side walls, has an upper stretch 17 operating over the table between said side walls. This belt passes around adirecting roller 18 interposed between the lower end of the supply table 12 and the upper end of the feed table 10. Its rear end asses around a guide roller 19 10- cated at t. e upperend of the supply table 12. The guide roller 19, as shown more particularly in Figure 11, is journaled in brackets 20 slidably mounted in boxes 21, and having slots 22, through which holding bolts 23 pass. Adjusting screws 24, threaded thiough the rear ends of the boxes 21, bear against the rear ends of the brackets 20. The side wall 16 is adjustable across the adjacent margin of the belt 17, its upper end bein supported by a hanger 16 slidably mounte on a cross rod 16 that extends over the table and the belt. The cross rod is supported in brackets 16 mounted on the table on opposite sides of the belt. The lower end of the side wall 16 has an outstanding slotted arm 16, through which is passed a set screw 16. The centra]. portion of the side wall has an.outstanding stem 16 slidably mounted in a collar at 16 that is fixed to the table. A set screw 16 serves to hold the stem against movement in the collar. This wall constitutes an abutment wall. against which the pile of paper is placed. The opposite or rear side wall 16 has its upper end carried by a hanger 16 that is slidably mounted on the cross rod 16. Its lower end is slidably mounted on a cross rod 16 fixedto the lower end of the side wal] 16.

A roller 16", ournaled on the central porton of the side wall 16*, is adapted to ride upon the belt and thus prevent frictional contact between the side Wall and the belt When the side wall is adjusted, as indicated in dotted lines in F igure 12. With this arrangement, it Will be evident that the active width of the tablemay be varied to suit any Width of paper from a very small size to the maximum that can be placed on the belt.

The lower or feed table 10 has side walls 25 and 25, and over said table operates the upper stretch of an endless belt 26, having a width substantially equal to the maximum space betvveen said side walls 25. The belt 26 at the upper end of the table 10 passes around a guide roller 27, and at the lower or delivery end of said table passes around a roller 28. A tension roller 29 rests upon the lower Stretch of the belt and is journaled in swinging arms 30 pivoted, as shown at 31, to the frame brackets 15.

The side wall 25 has a limited adjustment over the belt 26 similarto the side Wall 16, except that as said side wall 25 does not constitute an abutment against which a pile of paper is placed, the intermediate support is eliminated. In like manner the sidewall 25 is adjustable toward and from the side wall 25, corresponding to the adjustment of the side wall 16. The roller, in this instai1ce, is preferably, though not necessarily, located at the upper end of the side Wall25, as shown at 25".

A driving shaft in the form of a roller 32 is journaled in the frame brackets 13 and is eared, as shown at 33, to the roller 27.

.earing. 34 also transmits motion from the roller or drive shaft 32, to the drum 18. This driving shaft or roller 32 projeets from one side of the frame and has fixed thereto, a ratchet wheel 35. A bell crank 36 is journaled on the projecting portion of the shaft 32, and as shown in detail in F igure 5, one arm of the bell crankhas pivoted thereon a pawl37 that Operates on the teeth of the ratchet Wheel 35. The pawl is spring-pressed, as shown at 38, so as to maintain its engagement with the teeth. The other arm of the bell crank 36 has pivoted thereto a link 39 extending longituclinally of the feed table 10 to the delivel(iy endof the same. Saidend of the link is a justably and pivotally connected to the depending arm 40 of a bell crank pivoted, as shown at 41, on the frame bracket 15. The other arm 42 of the bell crank is pivotally engaged with a stud 43, carried by a collar 44 ad ustably mounted On a reciprocatory actuating plunger 45. The plunger 45 is vertically disposed, its lower end sliding in 2.

guide 46, its upper end being slotted, as shown at 47, and sliding on a transverse shaft 48 extending across the delivery end of the machine. A spring 49, operating on the lower end of the plunger rod 45, serves to normally move it downwardly. The upper end of said plunger rod carries a roller 50 operating on a cam 51 carried by the shaft 48.

It Will thus be evident that When the shaft 48 and cam 51 are rotated, the plunger 45 will be reciprocated, thereby swinging the bell crank 40-42, causing the longtudinal reciprocation of the link 39 and the back and forth movement of the pawl carrier bell crank 36. This Will obviously cause the stepby-step rotation of the roller shaft 32 and theconsequent movement of the belts 17 and 26 and the transfer roller 18. By shifting the pivotal mounting of the link in the depending arm 40 of the bell crank, the efiective throw of the link and therefore of the pawl can be varied in order that the feed will be changed to the length of the sheets passing through the apparatus.

The operation of these parts is controlled by the thickness or number of sheets at the delivery end of the feed table 10. The plunger 45 is provided with a laterally ex tendrig lug 52, and a swinging latch 53 ivoted to the frame bracket 15, is adapte to IIIOVG to and from a position beneath and in the path of the lug 52. Swinging move ment of this latch is limited by oppositely arranged adjustable stops 54. A rock shaft 55, journaled in the said frame bracket 15,

is provided with a depending arm 56, in the lower end of which is slidably engaged a link member 57, and said link member has a slot 58 in which is engaged a pin 59 carried by the latch 53. A spring 60 on the link member 57 serves to normally secure its movement with the arm 56, and an adjusting nut 61, threaded on the outer end of the link member. The shaft 48, which carries the plunger actuating cam 51, also carries a cam 62, and operating on said cam, is a roller 63 journaled on the free end of an arm 64 that is carried by the rock shaft 55. The cams 51 and 62 are so related that nor mally the latch 53 Will be withdrawn from beneath the lug 52 When the actuating plunger 45 is permitted to drop by the cam 51, and said latch is alternately moved into and out of the path of said lug on each reciprocation of the actuatin plunger 45. Secured to the inner end of t e rock shaft 55 is another crank arm 65, having at its free end a ball or head 66 which is adapted to rest upon the sheets moved to the delivery end of the table. This crank arm 65 is mounted on the rock shaft 55 and is capable of adjustment longitudinally along the same. body ofshets is at 01' below a predetermined thickness, the arm 65 and head 66 Will be allowed to swing downwardly, thereby per When the mittng the outwardmovement of the latch 53 from beneath the holding lug 52, but if the thickness o the sheets increases, said arm and hemd act as a detector, and will prevent the full rocking movement of the shaft 55, thereby preventing the outward movement of the latch 53 to its inactive position. As a consequence the In 52 will rest upon the latch and the actuat1on of the eeding means will be stopped. As soon, however, as the thiokness of the pile decreases snfiioientlythe arm will again be permitted to drop, the latch will resume its normal swinging movements to an inoperative position and the operation will again begin. By adjusting the nut 61 threaded on the link member 57, the osition of the arm 56 will be varied, there y raising or lowering the detector hall so that the amount of paper that is permitted t0 corne Operation on by the suction roller can be Ahy suitable mechanism may be employed forfeeding the sheets from the delivery end of the apparatus, such as combing or delivering rollers, rubber push fingers, or suction devices, well known to those skilled in this art. In the present embodiment there is disclosed a suction roller 68 carried by the shaft 48. This roller may be of the type disclosed in Patent No. 1,494303, dated May 13, 1924.

In order toinsure the proper passage of the paper from the upper belt 17 to the lower belt 26 and around the transfer roller18, the following mechanism is preferably employed. An upper guide roller 69 is looated above the transfer roller 18 and a lower guide roller 70 is located below said transfer roller and adjacent to the roller 27. Around these rollers pass sets of endless tapes 71 that operate against the portion of the upper belt 17 g:ssing around the roller 18. These tapes are ven by gearing 72, extending from the gear of the roller" 18 to the upper guide roller G9. Extending alongside the roller 18 is a supporting rod 7 3, on which are journaled a pluraity of oarrying arms 74. Each of these arms has journaled on the opposite sides of its free end tension rollers 75 around which a set of tapes 71 pass. The arms 74 are adjustable along the supporting rods73 and en be held at any desired position by collars 76 seoured by set screws 7 7, the eollars beng located in bifurcations in the pivoted ends of the arms 74. Guide pulleys 78 are prefmtbly mounted on intermediate portions of the a.rms .74 and around them the said tapes pass. S ecured to the supporting rods 73 are ether arms 79 connected by a rod 80, on which aan: slidahly mounted collars 81. Connecting these collars with the carrier arm 74 are spaings 82. The structure is such that the springs 82serve to hold the tapes 71 taut. It

will be evident however, thatas the sheets pass aarsr beneath it for around the transfer roller 18, the portions of the tapes coacting therewith will be separated from the roller, and this separation is permitted by the swinging of the arms 74 against the tension of gers 83 are pivotally mounted, .as shown at 84, on a cross rod 85 at the delivery end of: the upper table 12, and have th eir free ouds extending over the transfer roller 18 and to pointsadjacent to the tapes 71. ()ther directing fingers in the form of curved springs 86 have hookedends 87 embracing the supporting rod 73, and have their lower ends resting on the guid e roller 70, these fingers extending betweenthe tapes 71.

With this construetion,it will be evident that a pile of sheets placed upon the upper stretch of the belt 17 on the supply table 12, will be carried downwardly, and. passed around the transfer roller 18 on to the belt of 1 the feeding table 26, the transfer mechanism insuring the proper frictional 01 carrying engagement with the belt around the roller 18. The sheets in turn will be carrie d longitudinally along the feed table 10 on the belt 26 and the sheets will be suocessively delivcrcd rom the machine by the suction roller 68.

During the reciproeation of the actuating plunger the cam 62 is causing the swinging of the arm 64, thereby alternatly raising and lowering the ar1n 65,- having the hall or head 66 thereon, so that the paper sheets can pass thereunder. As long as the sheets at the delivery end do not exceed a predetermincd number, the ball will drop suffieiently to permit the shaft to turn and withdraw the lateh 53 from beneath the lug 52, but whenever the supply exceeds that desired, this detector will not be ermitted to drop because of the paper beneat it and consequently the latch cannot swing outwardly, but will maintain it-s position beneath the lug and hold the actuating plunger against operation. The use of belts on the table has been found peculiarly advantageous in that sheets of any width less than the distance between theside walls mag, be fed without diiliculty and the only adjustment that may be necessary is of the side walls and transfer tapes7 1. These being located in sets, said sets can be relatively adj usted and will cooperate with the transfer roller and the directing fingers to insure the proper delivery of the sheets from the upper to the lower table.

1 From the oregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation and many advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without fur ther description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion and minor details of construct-ion may be resorted to without departing from the. spirit or sacrificing any of the advantags of the invention.

the springs 82. Directing in- What I claim, is:

1. In a sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with a supply table, of a feed table, a roller around which the sheets pass from the supply table to the feed table, a plurality of flexible bands cooperating with the roller to direct the sheets about the same, and means independent of the roller, on which the bands are mounted, said means permitting the relative adjustment of the hands to different positions longitudinally of the roller.

2. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with a supply table, of a eed table, a roller around which the sheets pass from the supply table to the feed table, a sheet clelivering belt that operates around the roller and has a width substantially equal to the table, a plurality of flexible bands cooperating with the roller and the portion of the belt passing around the same to direct the sheets on said belt about the roller, and means, independent of the roller, on which the bands are mounted, said means permitting the relative adjustment of the bands to dilferent positions longtudinally of the roller.

3. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with a supply table, of a feed, table, a

roller around which the sheets pass from the supply table to the feed table, a sheet delivering belt having a portion beneath the roller for receiving the sheets therefrom, said belt having a width substantially equal to the actve portion of the feed table, a roller below the firstroller and about whichthe belt passes, a plurality of flexible bands cooperatng with the first roller to direct sheets about the same, and means for mounting said bands independently of both rollers and positioning the lower portions of said bands adjacent to the belt.

4. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with a supply table, of a feed table, a roller around which the sheets pass from the supply table to the feed table, a sheet delivering belt having a portiori beneath the roller or receiving the sheetsthrefrom, said belt having a width substantially equal to the active portion of the feed table, a roller below the first roller and about which the belt passes, a plurality of flexible bands cooperating with the first roller to direct sheets about the same, and means for mounting said bands inde endently of both rollers and positioning the ower portions of said bands adjacent to the belt, said means permitting the relative adjustment of the bands to different positions longitudinally of the roller.

5. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with a supply table, of a feed table for receiving the sheets from the supply table, a roller around which the sheets pass from the supply table to the feed table, an endless band coacting with the roller for directing the sheets thereabout, guides for the band above and below the roller, a support1ng rod, a tension pulley for the band having a erating on the support.

6. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combi nation with a supply table, of a feed table f0r receiving the sheets from the supply table, a roller around which the sheets pass from the supply table to the feed table, an endless band coacting with the roller for directing the sheets thereabout, guide rollers for the band above and belowthe roller, a supportlng rod, a tension pulley for the band having a swinging support mounted on and adjustable along the rod, and a spring operating on the support.

7. In sheet feeding ap aratus,the combination with a supply tabla, of a feed table, a roller around which the sheets pass from the supply table to the feed table, endless bands cooperating with the roller to direct the sheets thereabout, guide rollers around which the bands pass, pulleys about which the bands pass,and mountings for said pulleys adjustable longitudinally of the first roller for positioning the bands at respect thereto.

8. In Sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with a supply table, of a feed table for receiving the sheets from the supply table, a roller around which the sheets pass rom the supply table to the feed table, a lurality of cndless bands cooperatingwith t e roller to direct the sheets therearound, carrier rollers for the bands, and supports on which the rollers are mounted, said supports and rollers being relatively adjustable toward and from each other.

9. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with a supply table, of a feed table for receiving the sheets from the supply table, a roller around which the sheets pass from the supply table to the feed table, a plurality of endless bands cooperating with the roller to direct the sheets therearound, upper and 10W- er guides for the bands above and below the roller that permt the relative adjustment of the hands towards and from each other, yielding tension supports relatively adjustable toward and from each other, and tension pulleys carried by the supports and hearing against the bands.

10. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with a supply table, of a feed table for receiving the sheets from the supply table, a roller around which the sheets pass from the supplytable to the feed table, a plurality of endless bands cooperating with the roller to direct the sheets therearound, upper and 10W- er guide rollers for the bands above and below the roller that permitthe relative adjustment of the bands towards and from each other, a bar disposed longitudinally of the rollers, arms pivotally mounted on the bar and relatively adjustable therealong, tension pulleys on the arms bearing against the bands, and springs opersting on the arms.

different positions with 11. In sheetfeeding apparatus, the combination with a supply table, of a feed table, a roller around which the sheets pass from the supply table to the feed table, endless bands cooperating with the roller to direct the sheets thereabout, upper and lower guide rollers around whch the bands pass, pulleys about which the bands pass, swinging arms supporting the pulleys, a rod located longitudinally of the first roller and on which the arms are slidably 1nounted, and. springs o0nnected to the arms for yieldingly holding them with the bands taut.

12. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with a supply table, of a feed table that receives the sheets therefrom, a roller about whch the sheets pass from the supply table to the feed table, endless bands located in sets and cooperating with the roller to direct the sheets therearound, and supporting means for said bands including swinging tension arms, and sets of pulleys mounted on each arm, and a set of bands passing across each set of pulleys.

13. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination With a supply table, of a fed table that receives the sheets therefrom, a roller about which the sheets pass from thesupply table to the feed table, endless bands located in sets and cooperating with the roller to direet the sheets therearound, upper and lower guide rollers above and below the first roller and about which the bands pass, a supporting bar, carrier means pivotally mounted on the bar, and. adjustable along the same, springs operating on the arms, and sets of pulleys carried by each arm and having a set of the hands assing thereacross.

14. n sheet feeding apparatus, the combiation With a supply table, of a feed table taat receives the sheets therefrom, sheet carrying belts operating over the tables and bei ng of substantially the widths thereof, a directing roller for the sheets interposed between the tables, a plurality of endless tapes Qpoperating with the roller to direct the sheets around the latter, and means for adjusting the tapes transversely of the belt to different ositions with respect thereto.

15. In s eet feeding apparatus, the combination with a supply table, of a feed table that receives the sheets therefrom, sheet carrying belts operating over the tables and beng of substantially the widths thereof, a

recting roller for the sheets interposed between the tables, a plurality of endless tapes cooperating with the roller to direct the sheets around the latter, and a plurality of inwardly declined fingers extending between the tapes in rear of the roller.

16. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with a supply table, of a feed table, mechanisin for moving sheets over the tables and for delivering sheets from one end of the feed table, and means determined by the thickness of the set of sheets at the delivering end of the feed table and located at said delivery end for automatically governing the operation of the transferring mechanism.

17. In sheet feeding apparatus, the cornbination with a supply table, of a feed table, mechanism for movmg sheets over the tables, and for delivering sheets from one end of the feed table, a vertically movable thickness detector at the delivery end of the feed table, and control mechanism for the transferring mechanism at the delivery end of the feed table and operated by the detector.

18. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with a supply table, of a feed table, mechanism for moving sheets over the tables and for delivering sheets fro1n one end of the eed table, including an operating device at the delivery end, a. latch at said delivery end for holding the operating device against an operating movement, and a thickness detector at the delivery end of the feed table and controlling the latch.

19. In sheet feeding apparatus. the combination with a supply table, of a feed table, mechanism for moving sheets over the tables, and for delivering sheets from one end of the feed table, including a reciprocatory operating device at the delivery end of the feed table, a latch at the deliverv end of the feed table for holding the operating device against an operating movement, and a thickness detector at the delivery end of the feed table and controlling the latch.

20. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with a supply table, of a feed table, mechanism for moving sheets over the tables and for delivering sheets frorn one end of the eed table, including an operating device at said end, a pivotally mounted latch also at said end that swings into and out of the path of a portion of the operating device, and means governed by the sheets for controlling the movement of the latch.

21. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination With a supply table, of a feed table, mechanism for moving sheets over the tables and for delixering sheets from one end of the feed table, including an operating device at said end, a pivotally mounted latch at said end that swings into and out of the path of a portion of the operating device, a rock shaft connected to the latch, and a device for operating the rock shaft to swing the latch.

22. In sheet 'eeding. apparatus, the combination with a supply table, of a feed table, mechanism ior moving sheets over the tables and for deliverin sheets from one end of the feed table, including an operating device at said end, a pivotally mounted latch at said end that swings into and out of the path of a portion of the operating device, a rock shaft c0nnected to the latch, and a thickness detector arm that rests upon the sheets at the delivery end of the feed table to control the position of the latch.

23. In sheet feeding apparatns, the combination with a supply table, of a feed table, and means' or moving sheets thereover and delivering them from oneend of the feed table, operating mechanism for the sheet moving 1neans, including an actuating device at said end, a latch movable in and out of posit-ion to hold the device, means or alternately eflectng the movements of the 1atch and actuating device to permit the operation of the lat-ter, and means controlled by the sheets for holding the latch against such movement to hold the actuating device.

24. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with a supply table, of a feed t-able and means for moving sheets thereover and delivering them from one end of the feed table, operating mechanisrn for the sheet moving means including an actuating device, a latch movable into and out of positi0n to hold the device, cams or alternately effecting., the movements of the latch and act-uating device to permit the operation of the letter, and a thickness detector associated with the latch and operatng thereon to hold the latch against suchmovement and thereby to hold the actuating device.

25. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combinat-ion with a Supply table, of a feed table, and neans for moving sheets thereover and delivering them from one end of the feed table, operating mechanism for the sheet moving means. including an actuating device, a latch movable into and out of position to hold the device, sheet feeding IDGBIIS including a shaft, cams on said shaft, one of Which operates on the actuating device, a rock shaft connected to the latch, said rock shaft being 0perated by the other cain, and a thickness detector controlling the movement of the rock shaft.

26. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with a supply table, and a feed table, of belts operating thereover, means for transferring the sheets from the belt of the supply tahle at one end of the same to the belt of the fced table at the same end, operating means 'or said transfer mechanism and belts inclnding a ratchet vvheel at said adjacent ends of the tables, a pavvl operating on the ratchet wheel, a reciprocatory actuating device having a link connection with the pawl and 10- cated at the delivery end of the feed table, sheet feeding Ineens at said delivery end, a sWinging latch that moves into and out of the path of the reciprocatory actuating device, devices for respectively moving the actuating device and the latch to prevent the interference of the latter with the forrher, and a thickness detector that is movably sup ported on the sheets and operated to hold the latch in position to stop the actuating device vvhen an abnormal number of sheets is at the delivery end of the feed table.

27. In sheet feeding apparatus, the c0m bination With a sheet holding and feeding table, of means for delivering sheets from the table, and means for governing the supply of the sheets at the delivery rneans, comprising a ratchet mechanism, an actnating men1ber having a substantially vertical up and down movement a latch controlling the downward movement thereof, means for alternately moving the latch into and out of its controlling position, a link connection between the actuating member and the ratchet mechanism and located transversely of the former, and means governed by the sheets fox holding the latch in its controlling position and thereby preventing the operation of the actuating member.

28. In sheet feding ap aratus, the combinati0n with a sheet holing and feeding table,of means for delivering sheets from the table, and means for governing the supply of the sheets at the delivery means, comprising a ratchet mechanism, en actuating n1e1nber having a substantially longitudinal reciprocatory movement, a link extending transversely of the actuating member and cbnstituting a connection between it and the ratchet mechanism, a latch movable into and out of the path of a portion of the actuating member te hold the latter agair'1st an operative movement, means for automatically moving the latch to and from such position to normally permit the movement of the actnating device, and means governed by the sheets for holding the latch in its controlling position and thereby preventing the operation of the actuating member.

29. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination With a sheet holding and feeding table, of means for delivering sheets from the table and means f0r governing the supply of the sheets at the delivery means, comprising a ratchet mechanism, an actnating member having a substantially longitudinal reciprocatory movement, a link connected to the ratchet mechanism, a bell crank connecting the link and actuating member, a latch having a swinging movement laterally of and into and out of the path of a portion of the actuating member te hold the latter against an operative movement, means for automatically swinging the latch to and from such position to normally pennit the movement of the actuating device, and a dete'ctor that operates on the sheets adjacent to the deliv= ering means and controlling the latch vvhen the pile is too high to hold it in the path of the actuatingdevice.

30. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with a, table and means fox carrying sheets avvay from the same, of an endless belt operating over the table, and relatiiely adjustable side walls cooperating With the belt,

one of said Walls being adjusta'ble toward and from the other over the belt.

31. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with a table and means for carrying sheets away from the same, of a single endless belt operating over the table and of substantially the width thereof, relatively adjustable side walls cooperating with the belt, one of said walls being adjustable toward and from the other over the upper face of the belt, and means for supporting the latter Wall over the belt.

32. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination With a table and means for carrying sheets away from the same, of an en dless belt operating over the table, relatively adjustable side walls cooperating with the belt, one of. said walls being adjustable toward and from the other over the belt, and means for supporting the letter wall over the belt, includin a roller journaled on said wall riding the he t.

33. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with a table and means for carrying sheets away from the same, ofan endless belt operating over the table, relatively adjustabl e side Walls cooperating with the belt, one of said walls being adjustable toward and from the other over the belt, and means for firmly fixing the other side Wall so that it Will constitute an abutment against which a pile of sheets may be evened.

34. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with a table and means for carrymg sheets away from the same, of an endless belt opeating over the table, a front side wall against which a pile of sheets may be.abutted, cross rods extending from said Wall and over the belt, and a rear side wall adjustably carried by the cross rods and movable t0 diflerent positions over the belt.

35. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with an upper supply table, of a lower feed table, belts substantially the Widths of said tables having stretches operating thereover, guiding side walls for the tables, means for supporting said side Walls in different positions over the belts, means for directing sheets from the upper table to the lower table, and means or delivering the sheets from the lower table.

36. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with an upper supply table, of a lower feed table, belts substantially the widths of said tables having stretches operating thereover, a set of guiding side walls for each table, cross rods over each belt on which one of the side walls is adjustable towerd and from the other side Wall over the belt, means for directing sheets from the up er table to the lower table, and means for de ivering the sheets rom the lower table.

37. In sheet feeding means, the combination with a frame including standards and a bracket plate, of a sheet eeding device, means for presenting sheets to the device including a pawl and a. ratchet operated on by the pawl, an operating shaft journaled in the bracket plate and having a driving member on the outer side of the same, a pawl actuating device operated by said driving member and located alongside the bracket plate, a latch device pivoted on the bracket plate and movable to and from a position to prevent the pawl 0 erating the ratchet, a rock shaft also journa ed in the bracket plate and having an arm tliat rests on the paper, a second arn1 fixed to the rock shaft, a cam operating the second arm, and a third arm actuated by the rock shaft and located alongside the bracket p late, said third arm operating the latch device.

38. In sheet feeding means, the combination With a frame includin standards and. a bracket plate, of a sheet fee ing device, means for presenting sheets to the device including a pawl and a ratchet operated on by the pawl, an operating shaft journaled in the bracket plate and having a driving member on the outer side of the same, a pawl actuating device operated in and up and down direction by said driving member andlocated alongside the outer side of the bracket plate,a substantially vertical latch device pivoted to and located on the outer side of the bracket plate and movable to and from a position to prevent the pawl operating the ratchet, a rock shaft also journaled in the bracket plate and having an arm that rests on the paper, a sec- 0nd arm fixed to the rock shaft, a cam operating the second arm, and a third arm actuated by the rock shaft and located alongside the outer side of the bracket plate, said third arm operating thelatch device.

39. The combination with a sheet feeding device for feeding sheets rearwardly from an assemblage thereof, of means out of the path of the sheets fed by the device for presenting sheets to be fed to the device includng a pawl and ratchet mechanism, and means for controlling the pawl and ratchet mechanism includin a lateh device, a swinging actuating device or the latch element, a link connecting the actuating device and latch device, one of said devices being movable along the link, yielding means resisting such movement, means on the link for thus moving the device against the action of the resisting means and constituting a positive stop against Which the spring causes the device to abut, and a device that rests on the paper and is connected to the actuating device.

40. The combination with a sheet feeding device 'or feeding sheets rearwardl v from an assemblage thereof, of means out of the pat-h of the sheets fed by the device for presenting sheets to be fed to the device including a pawl and ratchet mechanism, and means for controlling the pawl and ratchet mechanism including a swinginglatch device, a rock shaft, a determining device carried by the rock shaft and resting on the sheets, a swing ing actuating arm on the rock shaft, a link pivoted to the latch device, said actuating a1m being movable along the link, a spring for resisting such movement, and an adjusting nut on the link for moving the arm against the action of the spring and constituting a positive stop against which the spring holds said arm,

41. In sheet feeding apparatus,the comof the controlling device, a feeler carried by the rock shaft and resting on the sheets, and a depending arm mounted on the rock shaft and havn a connection with the portion of the cont1'oling arm below its pivot axis to operte the latter When the feeler drops by reason of the withdrawal of sheets by the feeding device.

In witness Wherof I aflix my signature.

ALBERT BROADMEYER.

bination with a frame, of a sheet feeding device at the rear end of the frame for feeding sheets rearwardly therefrom, mechanism out of the path of the sheets fed by the device for presenting sheets to the feeding device for feeding thereby, said means including a pawl and a ratchet operated on by the pawl, a. con trolling device pivotally mounted on the rear end of the frame and movable to and from a position to prevent the pawl from operating the ratchet, a rock shaft journaled on the rear end of the frame, and having a feeler that rests on thesheets, and en arm mounted on the rock shaft and extending downwardly adjacent the controlling device and adapted to operate it when the feeler drops by reason of the withdrawal of sheets by the feding device.

42. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with a frame, of a sheet feeding device at the rear end of the frame for feeding sheets rearwardly therefrom, mechanism out of the path of the sheetsfed by the device for presenting sheets to the feeding device for feeding thereby, said means including a pawl and a ra.tchet operated on by the pawl, a controlling device pivotally mounted on the rear end of the frame and movable to and from a, posi tion to prevent the awl from operating the ratchet, a, rock shaftj0ulnal3d on the rear end of the frame and at a higher point than the pivot mounting of the controllin device, a

feeler carried hy therock shaft an restingpn the sheets, and an arm mounted on the rock shaft and extendng downwardly adjaoent the controlling device and adapted to operate it when the fee1er drops b reason of the withdrawal of sheets by the eeding device.

43. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with a frame, of a sheet feeding device at therear end of the frame for feeding sheets rearwardly therefrom, mechanism out of the path of thesheets fed by the device for presenting sheets to the feeding devicefor feeding thereby, said means including a pawl and a ratchet operated on by the pawl, a substantially vertical controlling arm pivoted on the reer end of the frame and extending downwardly below its pivot axis, said arm being movableto and from a position to prevent the pawl from operating the ratchet, a rock shaft ourna led on the rear end of the frame and at a higher point than the pivot mounting 

